Blight
/blaɪt/noun
A plant disease characterized by the rapid discoloration, wilting, and death of plant tissues.
Did you know?The term 'blight' comes from an Old English word meaning 'to make weak or to wither', linking it to ancient ideas of decay and destruction in nature.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*blikaz
“to shine, to gleam, often used in contexts of decay or withering.”
Old English
OE
blīcan
“to shine or to glimmer, later associated with fading beauty.”
Middle English
ME
blight
“a term for a plant disease or a cause of decay, emphasizing its destructive nature.”
14th Century
Middle English
blight
“the effect of a disease or pest causing plants to wither.”
Modern English
English
blight
“a general term for any disease or condition causing deterioration.”